The Tarbell House
Ida Minerva Tarbell, best known for her History of Standard Oil, moved to Titusville in 1870. In her autobiography, All in the Day's Work, she described her home this way.
"...when I was thirteen I found myself in Titusville, Pennsylvania, in a new house my father had built. How characteristic of the instability of the oil towns of that day, as well as of the frugality of my father, was this house! From the beginning of the Pithole excitement he had made money...then the bottom fell out." Tarbell was able to purchase Pithole's Bonta House for $600. "He paid the money, tore down the building," and carted its parts to Titusville. He had admired the "long French windows, really fine iron brackets supporting its verandahs, handsome woodwork. [He made use of the] fine doors and windows, mouldings and all...and I suppose much of its timber. [From these parts he] built the house which was our home for many years."
[Photo captions, clockwise from top center, read]
• The Bonta House, Pithole
• Franklin Sumner Tarbell had been a teacher until he came to the oil region and started manufacturing wood
storage tanks for crude oil. In 1865 steel storage tanks replaced the wood tanks. However, Tarbell, with his son William, continued in the oil business throughout his life.• Ida graduated from Titusville High School and entered Allegheny College as the only female in her class. Her achievements in investigative journalism later earned her induction into the Women's Hall of Fame at Seneca Falls, NY in 2000, and a postage stamp in her likeness in 2002.
• The Tarbell Home C. 1890
Erected by Oil Region Alliance and City of Titusville.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce • Man-Made Features • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.
Location. 41° 37.703′ N, 79° 40.083′ W. Marker is in Titusville, Pennsylvania, in Crawford County. Marker is on Main Street west of Kerr Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 324 East Main Street, Titusville PA 16354, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Ida M. Tarbell (a few steps from this marker); John Mather Home (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); John A. Mather (about 300 feet away); George Custer Home (about 500 feet away); McKinney Hall
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Also see . . .
1. Ida Tarbell Bio. (Submitted on August 26, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Ida Tarbell Brief Bio. (Submitted on August 26, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Ida Tarbell: The Woman Who Took On Standard Oil. (Submitted on August 26, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
4. Ida Tarbell at American Experience. (Submitted on August 26, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 26, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 303 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 26, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 4. submitted on September 20, 2023, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.